Rayver has kind words for ex-GF Cristine

RAYVER Cruz says Cristine Reyes will make a good mom.

“I know she can handle being a mom because she loves kids,” said actor Rayver Cruz of ex-girlfriend Cristine Reyes, who is four months pregnant. She has always wanted a baby, he said.

“Cristine adores her nephews and nieces, who treat her like their mom,” Rayver said. (Cristine’s boyfriend is mixed martial arts fighter Ali Khatibi.) “I can see she’s really happy. I’m happy for her as well.”

They broke up two years ago, but remained friends. “I’ve congratulated her about the baby,” Rayver said.

On Jan. 24, he led a team of celebrities in a basketball game against the varsity team of St. Dominic College of Asia at Bacoor Coliseum in Cavite. The event was a fundraiser for the rehabilitation of Tacloban City, which was ravaged by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in 2013.

On the team called MPJ Celebrity Ballers were Edgar Allan Guzman, Arthur Solinap, Polo Ravales, Jao Mapa, Geoff Taylor, Jojo Riguera, Perry Escaño, Sergio Garcia and comedian Paul Sy, a.k.a. Wally Waley.

“Basketball should inspire the youth. Aside from helping keep the body fit, it’s a great way to meet new friends.” Two years ago, Rayver joined a charity basketball game organized by fellow Kapamilya artist Gerald Anderson to raise funds for children with mental conditions. Rayver, 24, said, “If I weren’t in show biz, I’d probably be pursuing a basketball career.”

Rayver is currently busy with the soap “Two Wives,” where he plays Dale del Valle, former boyfriend of lead character Janine (Erich Gonzales) and father of her son. “He returns and promises to never let go of them,” he explained. “He will not allow Victor (Jason Abalos) to win them over.”

He added: “I find the character very challenging, since I’m not a father in real life—

it’s difficult to empathize sometimes. To portray Dale, I study the character and try to imbibe him. I ask help from directors [FM Reyes and Richard Arellano].”

Rayver hopes the character is given bigger exposure. “I enjoy being on the show,” he said. “I hope to someday portray more challenging characters, like a rapist or a serial killer. That would be interesting.”

“Two Wives,” which airs weekdays at 9:20 p.m., is loosely based on the Korean drama of the same title.